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San Francisco, California: The 5,000-strong Asian Pacific Islander
American Public Affairs Association (APAPA) is one of the largest
minority organizations in the West Coast—and it’s still growing,
thanks to the vigorous leadership of millionaire entrepreneur, civic
and political activist C.C. Yin, who owns more than 18—and still
counting—McDonald’s in California.
On Sunday, we attended the APAPA membership
drive and barbecue picnic at the awesome resort-like Yin Ranch in
Vacaville with friends Charito and Romy Benipayo, Rhoda and Stewart
Hing, Annie Wong, Raul and Loida Ticson, Leona Cruz, Evelyn Mendoza
and Conchita and Bill Applegate. We sort of represented the
Filipino-American contingent, in a sea of Chinese-Americans and
Pacific Islanders attendees. But what an impressive group we were:
Stewart (Rhoda Benipayo’s husband) is a district attorney and
member of the APAPA board of directors. Charito is a veteran media
practitioner, a former commissioner and also APAPA member along with
Romy; Conchita is running for state assembly; Raul is a former
president of the Seven Lakes (of Laguna province) Association; and
Leona, Evelyn, Bill and Annie are active members of their
communities.
But before going into specifics of the
impressive multi-cultural program, let me describe the more
impressive Yin Ranch. Most of us identify Vacaville as a Bay Area
bedroom community closest to Travis Air Base, also 45 minutes from
San Francisco, and—site of the Premium Outlet Stores! The Yin
Ranch is just a few miles off the freeway, amid rolling hills now
sun-dried by the summer heat. It includes, besides the huge
residence-mansion, a man-made lake for fishing and boating, indoor
and outdoor swimming pools, beautiful shaded lawns, a barn that
doubles as a basketball court and social hall, a more formal
dining-meeting hall, a second basketball court, extensive parking
areas, and much more.
The APAPA program included performers from
Fremont, Sacramento and San Jose, who presented Chinese and Pacific
Islander dances, individual singers and a $5 fundraising raffle. The
highlight of the program, however, was the presentation of a
$100,000 check to the organization by philanthropist Andrew Wong.
Wish the Fil-Am community had so generous a philanthropist too.
Businesswoman and day care center operator Cely
Munoz is the new president of the Philippine Association of
University Women, USA, replacing the super-efficient Linda Galeon,
gerontologist-marimbist and-anti-domestic violence advocate, who has
moved up to be PAUW board chairperson. The organization is actively
involved in scholarships, literacy programs, domestic violence
awareness and prevention, donation of books, community safety and
cultural education and women’s health, etc.
At their recent induction-anniversary dinner,
the following took their oaths of office; Mariterie Adams, state
chairman for literacy; Helen Marte, first vice president; Elsa
Pascual, second vice president; Elizabeth Ditty, treasurer; Precy
Lectura, recording secretary; and Aurea Cruz, corresponding
secretary.
The current recession, not to mention the real
estate and home mortgage slump, has spawned new “sideline”
careers. In former realtor Marilou Carlos’ case, however, it was
boredom that pulled her out of retirement to vigorously market
Meleleuca “green products” that she truly believes in. An
inspired Marilou was in great form last Friday as she introduced
Meleleuca’s array of health, home and beauty products, to a
captive audience of friends that included Anita Sanchez, Vic and
Aida Barrios, George and Cynthia Nervez and others. Pep and Vi
Vasquez hosted Marilou’s presentation and the dinner that
followed. On the other hand, Beth Barrientos of Financial
Destination, Inc. hosts a free seminar each Saturday at Ma Mon Luk.
The business seminar offers new ways to save money and create wealth
in a variety of ways.
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